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Strong harvest creates logjam for machinery orders

A strong harvest has produced long waits for farmers who ordered new machinery.

Farmers are facing longer wait times for the delivery of agricultural machinery as a result of a surge in sales after the past year's strong harvest, according to a published report.

"Five years ago, a new tractor could be delivered in a couple of months. This year, if you order today, we can get it delivered by September," Dan Seitsinger, a sales representative for Van Wall Equipment in Story City, told the Des Moines Register while standing among some of the fleet he sells.

Seitsinger, who has been selling equipment for 11 years, spoke with the publication while flanked by a fleet of tractors at the 56th Iowa Power Farming Show. He said he has noticed a difference in the demeanor of his clientele.

As corn, soybeans and livestock had a strong harvest, more farmers were able to enter the market to update their machinery. That, in turn, creates a logjam during which patience has been lacking.

"Farmers are in more of a hurry these days," he said. "They don't like to wait. I understand it. The money is bigger and they don't want to miss opportunities."